Find Event spaces to rent in Portland, OR

About Portland

Portland is the largest and most popular city in Oregon and the average temperature is about 60 degrees, so you can plan an outdoor event between April and October without needing winter coats. And you won’t ever have to worry about breaking a sweat because the high for July and August is only 82 degrees.

Portland has several nicknames including Bridgetown, Beervana, and Rose City. These nicknames arise from the vast amount of each of these items in Portland. If you need beer or roses (or a bridge) for your event, you have come to the right place.

But Portland is more than just bridges, beer, and roses. It is also known for its world-renowned chefs, theaters, museums, and art galleries as well as over 200 parks. And they also have a plethora of event spaces from stunning lofts to outdoor parks. Whether you want a rustic farmhouse or a fancy ballroom, you can find it in Portland.

Event Options in Portland

Once you pick your event space, you will want to find some vendors and entertainment companies to help you with the details. Why not let the professionals handle all that for you?

• Photographers

You do not want to spend all your time at your event taking photos. And if you are not a professional, you probably will not get the best quality anyway. Hire a photographer to take care of that for you.

• Florists

Even if you have a humongous garden full of gorgeous flowers in your yard, hiring a professional florist to decorate your Portland event space makes more sense. After all, anything that can save you time during the planning is worth it.

• Caterers

Unless you plan on doing all the cooking and setup yourself, hiring a caterer is a no-brainer. And if you do plan on doing all the cooking and setup, how will you find time for anything else? There are thousands of fantastic caterers in Portland to choose from.

• Transportation

With all of the fantastic transportation services available now, you should consider hiring a car service for your event. This can save a lot of time and hassle for your guests and can be a lifesaver if you are serving adult beverages. Try one of the rideshare services or organized carpooling.

• Furniture Rentals

Depending on the venue you choose, you may have to provide the seating and other furniture for your event. If you have booked an outdoor venue or a large open space, you will need to find a furniture rental place in Portland to bring you what you need. From dining room tables and chairs to cozy couches and loveseats, you can rent just about anything for your event space in Portland.

Event Companies in Portland

Planning an event can be difficult no matter whether it is just a few dozen people or a few thousand. But if you get an event planner, you do not have to worry about a thing. Event planners love detail, so let them take care of it all.

• EJP Events

Since 2002, EJP Events has been planning events, parties, and weddings but Emee Pumarega has been working in the hospitality services since 1997. She has teams of up to 50 staff to handle all kinds of events. Let her 20+ years of experience take care of your needs so you can relax.

• Event Cracker

Whether you are having a company retreat for 500 or a family event for 50, Event Cracker is your one-stop event solution. Their motto is It’s All in the Details and they have been in business for over a decade, so you know they will make everything perfect for you.

• Cindy Thompson Events

Cindy Thompson Events is a well-known event planner in Portland and considers herself a magic maker. She even produced the KGW Neighborfair, the City of Portland’s largest one-day celebration of more than 300,000 people. With her 30+ years of experience, Cindy and her team can give you an event that everyone will remember forever.

Pros and Cons of Events in Portland

With a diverse variety of event spaces in Portland, it is an ideal place for any kind of event from business to pleasure. However, you should know the advantages and disadvantages of Portland first.

Advantages

• They have no sales tax

Portland has no sales tax at all so whatever the price tag is, that is how much you pay. In fact, the entire state of Oregon is tax-free. So, you can save some big bucks on those high-ticket items.

• Summers are fantastic

You will love summer in Portland if you are not a fan of 90- to 100-degree weather. The highs in the summer are typically 80 degrees or below at the hottest time of the day and evenings are actually kind of chilly, even in August.

• The vibe is casual

Even in the heart of the city, you may feel like you are in a laid-back rural area with all of the easy-going people living there. The people just seem so relaxed. Maybe it has something to do with all the green spaces.

• Tons of green spaces

With more than 200 parks and gardens in Portland, the lush greenery from all of the precipitation makes the whole place seem healthier than other cities. The trees are tall and full, lawns are thick and healthy, and you can find gardens all over.

• The food is great

Portland has some of the best cuisines with all of the star chefs in the city. Some of the iconic foods to enjoy in Portland include fried chicken, oysters, fish sauce wings, donuts, ice cream, and of course, beer. Portland has more breweries and pubs than any other place in the US.

Disadvantages

• High crime rate

Portland has one of the highest crime rates in the United States. And within the state, over 97% of the cities have a lower crime rate than Portland. The safest neighborhoods include Roanoke, Portland Heights, and Englewood.

• Traffic is bad

The reason for the nickname, Bridgeland, is also the reason for the horrible traffic jams every day. There are bridges everywhere due to the rivers and you are better off riding a bike or walking across to avoid the wait.

• Swimming may not be as fun

If you are a fan of water sports, you may want to bring a wetsuit when you hit the water because it rarely gets what most people would consider comfortable. You may be able to enjoy a dip in August at the hottest time of the day, but you will want to be out before dark when the temperature drops.

• Not as much sun

This ties into the swimming complaint. The sun just does not seem to shine on Portland as much as other cities. The cloud cover hangs out much of the time so if you are trying to get some sun, you may want to head to Miami instead.

• Not much diversity

Portland is not what you would call a diverse city. It has actually struggled with this problem for decades and although it is improving, the city just does not have a large number of varying ethnicities. An event in a city with different places to eat and people to see is more fun.

Famous Event Locations in Portland

• Forest Park

Forest Park has almost 5,100 acres that act as a refuge for many at-risk and endangered animals and plants. They have more than 80 miles of trails too. Don’t miss the Witch’s Castle along the Wildwood Trail. Book an intimate event space with a built in bar near Forest Park to relax after the event.

• Oregon Zoo

If you enjoy nature, stop by the Oregon Zoo where they have over 1,800 animals in 232 species on 64 acres. It’s a great place to wander around after a long day of hosting or attending an event. Head there to let loose and listen to the birds sing.

• Pittock Mansion

Pittock Mansion was built in 1914 and is now a 23-room museum with antique furnishings and gardens. See historical exhibits like the Steinway piano and Limoges china as well as a masonic sword that belonged to Henry Pittock. If you like historic homes, book a 1910 Portland Four Square home with the vibes of Pittock Mansion where you can relax while you prepare for your event.